Kinshasa - Post Report Question and Answers
Is high-speed home Internet access available? How long does it typically take to install it after arrival?
Most internet is done through cell towers and depends on where you live. On a good day we would get 4 MBPS. There was a company offering fiber optic, but they seemed to have disappeared. - May 2024
It's OK. Some people need to "top-up" their internet service monthly, others (Belle Vue) the Internet is included. Normally the Embassy will direct you to where you can find reliable ISPs. - Aug 2022
Internet is fine for the most part. You can stream Netflix and make Skype/Zoom calls, though one should expect occasional interruptions. There are days when the connection is bad. Much of the Embassy was teleworking throughout COVID, so it actually improved Embassy understanding of home internet service and hotspot providers. - May 2022
Ugh. We tried three and ended up with Vodacom. The other two just didn't work for our particular location, so you must ask your neighbors what towers are near you. We spend about $120/month for B+ service that sporadically disconnects. - Aug 2019
Internet is a pain in Kinshasa. It's slow, unreliable, and generally frustrating to deal with. Some housing compounds come with their own boutique set ups, which generally seem to be the best option. The rest of us have to fend with the local cellular network or installing your own satellite internet system. I found GoogleFi to be the easiest option, though it definitely isn't the fastest option. - Apr 2019
internet is slow and expensive. You can stream but sometimes quality is poor and buffering is frequent. - Dec 2017
No, what there is here is most expensive. It depends on your internet provider. - Dec 2017
Hahahahahahaha!!! This is a pipe dream. Okay seriously speaking, I have heard rumors that you can get a router installed (vs a wifi puck via the cell phone dealers) at home for a $3000 set up fee and pay $300/per month for unlimited "high-speed" which can occasionally stream videos and may even sometimes support Skype/Facetime etc; but does not run out if you choose to watch videos on YouTube or Facebook. Most of the time internet is unreliable at best no matter where you get your service from.
My wifi puck supports Vonage roughly 60% of the time, and I use Facetime/Skype without video and get ungarbled conversation about 50% of the time. I pay $100 for 25GB used over 3 months OR 50GB used over 30 days. The time of day is a large factor in the quality of your internet. Where your housing is located in Gombe (or the greater Kinshasa area) will determine which internet (cell) provider you should use. For example: River Loop area has best service with Airtel but Airtel service is terrible out near Shoprite. - Mar 2017
I'm convinced high speed home internet does not exist. Internet is ridiculously expensive, goes in and out, and only sometimes allows streaming. Frequently, downloads time out halfway through when the service cuts out. Most people buy a wireless router and use cell phone data, as this is faster than hardwired internet. If you bring a router, get one that is "unlocked" and can accept cell phone SIM cards (or just buy locally--around $75). During political protests, the government sometimes cuts off internet access for days at a time. - Jan 2017
Yes, but was crazy expensive when we were there. We paid US$140 month for crappy service. Couldn't stream a thing. - Sep 2016
Yes. We pay US$100/month for 50GB which will roll over if unused so long as we re-up prior to the expiration of the month. We have 3G on our phones which we can also use as hotspots. We stream Amazon and Netflix without any major problems. The biggest issue is that the power goes out at least once a day (only for a few minutes and most places have generators that go on quickly) so if you are using a router it will go down and then you have to wait for it to reboot. We have a VPN built into our router and it works well. - Apr 2016
Internet is available and expensive. Speeds are adequate for Skype and basic browsing/shopping but not for streaming video. Photo uploading and video downloading are possible but may take a few overnight sessions. Cost is US$100/month minimum with US$200/month more likely. Frequent power outtages and lost signals in the rainy season can be expected. - Jan 2014
No. Low-speed is available for not less than $100/month. A fiber-optic connection that will greatly improve things is a couple years away. - Nov 2012
Yes. - May 2012
There is internet but I would not call it high speed. Very slow connection and it went in and out. Internet is also very expensive ($600 start up, $150 per month). - Feb 2012
Unreliable and pricey. - Nov 2011
High Cost Low Speed Internet - Aug 2011
Internet is available thru a variety of sources and providers. Be prepared to get recommendations from people, be prepared to be much more than you are used to in the states, be prepared for frequent periods of no internet, be prepared to be asked for money in addition to installation and service fees – ‘didn’t bring enough cable to finish the job” and you as the customer are asked for more money buy supplies. There large internet and cell phone providers and some start-ups. There is the traditional internet, an antenna mounted at residence and cable brought in side thru window. There is a new service where the internet is provided much like cell phone coverage and time charges. All Mission employees and EFM are issued a cell phone and are responsible monthly for any use that is not ‘official’. VOIP (SKYPE) is a popular choice with some people. But, the quality and speed of the internet service will determine how well it works. More speed or more bandwidth will increase your cost drastically. For what I was paying $100+/- in the States is about $1000 here. - Jan 2011
Internet is like dialup. it's $120 or so per month, and costs several hundred for start up. - Oct 2010
Yes; costs about US$70 per month. - Jan 2009
